Toyota recalls 7,000 2014 Highlander crossovers for seat belt fix

Toyota is recalling more than 7,000 of its 2014 Highlander crossovers to fix a potential issue with the seat belt for the middle seat in the third row.

Toyota is recalling more than 7,000 of its 2014 Highlander crossovers to fix a potential issue with the seat belt for the middle seat in the third row. (Toyota)

David Undercoffler

Toyota is asking for the return of more than 7,000 of its new Highlander crossover SUVs in order to fix an issue with its seat belts.

The automaker is voluntarily recalling 7,067 Highlander crossovers from the 2014 model year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the middle seat belt in the third row may not be properly secured to the vehicle’s floor.

If the Highlander were to crash, a seat belt that’s not properly anchored to the floor could increase the risk of injury to the passengers, the NHTSA said.

No accidents or injuries have been reported as a result of the issue, according to Cindy Knight, a spokeswoman for Toyota.

The recall is expected to begin in March. Toyota said it will notify affected owners, who can have their dealers inspect their Highlander, and properly secure the belts to the floor if necessary, at no cost to owners.

The third-generation Highlander went on sale earlier this year. Highway 1 recently spent a week in one, and you can read the review.